Contra Costa County is declaring gun violence a public health issue and is launching a coalition to involve residents in the effort to curb the violence.
The new organization will target young people in the West Contra Costa County areas such as Richmond and eastern parts of the county such as Antioch.
Contra Costa Health is the agency behind this new gun violence prevention coalition. Once formed, the coalition plans to sponsor Silence the Violence days of action. More important, it will reach out to middle and high school students at risk of using a firearm and encourage them to go into group counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy.
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